Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Keller.
Hi Kristine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was persuaded into aviation after graduating from college. During this timeframe, I learned how to pilot small aircraft. I also met my husband and brought him into the family aviation business. After a few years and several differences of opinions, we parted ways with my family business and opened our own aviation business.
During the 4 years of running our own business, we started a family. It was then, in the midst of challenges with finding and retaining quality employees, that we opted to close the doors and seek different employment options to provide for our family.
Once pregnant, I thought little to nothing about infant feeding after the baby arrived, even though I have two sisters who both struggled to breastfeed with their children. Since breastfeeding is supposed to be a natural thing, I had no idea how difficult it would be once I had a baby in my arms.
Career Path
Initially, I went into my college training with intent to go into a business or counseling role of sorts. After graduating, I was still unsure of what a dream job would entail. After starting a family, it was evident that lactation was my calling. I returned to school and did many hours of on-the-job training to become an Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant. An IBCLC is the gold standard of lactation care and the only professional that provides clinical level care to the patient. We are the only profession that looks at both mother and child as one.
After many years of formal education as well as doing my own reading and research, I was able to help my boys overcome many concerns related to tongue ties. I’ve helped hundreds of thousands of families with breastfeeding and TOTS (Tight Oral Tethers), who otherwise would have likely not received the information until childhood or adult symptoms worsened or created awareness.
Personal Relationships
Both of my children were able to benefit from my additional education and training. They went from sleepwalking, night terrors, severely chapped lips, sleep apnea, swollen tonsils and adenoids, malocclusion, sleep disordered breathing, and many other concerns to sleeping peacefully with zero concerns within 3-6 months after addressing the underlying issues.
Challenges and Triumphs
I have been fortunate that my path led me on a step-by-step ladder to optimal experience for my specific line of work. I was able to return to school, work for WIC clinic and WIC Lactation Outpatient Center, at a hospital and then at a pediatric dental office that specializes in TOTS (Tight Oral Tethers). While working for each of these organizations, I gained a significant amount of knowledge that is now being applied to personalize my lactation consulting practice care. I tailor my services to fit each individual family’s needs. I want all of my families to feel heard, cared for and well supported in their infant feeding journeys.
I have been involved at a local and state level with coalition work. I was president of the state coalition and a board member of the local collation for the past 3-4 years. I provided key testimony for both Pump in Public policy and Medicaid coverage for lactation, even though it is not currently being applied to private practice lactation consultants with Medicaid patients. It is unbelievable to me that we are still in need of legislation to feed infants and support families in our communities.
Reflections and Aspirations
My difficulties have guided me to where I am today. Had I not had such a challenging experience breastfeeding my own children, I likely would not have sought out the additional knowledge and information to help my own family with our airway and breathing difficulties.
My profession requires ongoing education. My passion drives me to read and learn everything I can get my hands on that relates to lactation and airway disfunction. The ease of information now allows learning to be a never-ending process.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had many concerns with infant feeding in the early weeks and months of both of my postpartum periods. My struggles include a painful and shallow latch, plugged ducts, mastitis, positioning difficulty, nipple trauma, oversupply, wool allergy (lanolin is wool based), pumping difficulties, early return to work, PPD, early return to work, pumping during business hours, (immediately after the pump at work law went into effect), financial struggles.
While pregnant, we closed our company down. Because we had no income at the time, I was eligible to receive WIC. While at the WIC clinic, I did not get a genuine feeling of care or concern from most of the staff. The only staff member that was helpful was the nutritionist, but she did not assist with lactation. Being in a vulnerable state, the last thing I wanted was to feel judged, so I did not turn to them for assistance.
When I returned to the hospital to get help from the lactation consultant, I was told that my latch looked fine but that my nipples needed to toughen up. While my latch might have appeared to be adequate, both of my boys had oral restrictions that inhibited proper tongue function. Not a single person, in the hospital or otherwise, looked into their mouths as infants to see if function was of concern.
We’ve been impressed with Operation Lactation, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I own and operate Operation Lactation, a Lactation Consultant Private Practice that offers exclusive home visits. I am holistic minded and airway focused.
I am the only previously exclusive pumping IBCLC in the DFW metroplex.
I specialize in latch issues, tongue & lip ties, premature infants, multiples, exclusive pumping/bottle feeding, return to work, low or high milk supply, breast conditions, and more. I offer group and/or private prenatal classes, postpartum support, pumping classes, and return to work classes.
I have lectured at educational events and am open to future public speaking opportunities.
It is a privilege to be able to use my experience, difficulties and knowledge to serve families in the comfort of their own homes.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a bit of a loner in a small Texas town. My gut told me at an early age that something was off with several of my classmates. As it turns out, we had two of 28 students in our class turn out to be convicted rapists (as well as several other violent charges) and were imprisoned for horrible behavior as adults. I suspect I spent most of my childhood in survival mode, as 10 out of 13 years of primary, middle and high school were spent under the same roof as these two violent criminals.
I did not come out unscathed and turned to partying and alcohol to numb the pain. I had zero interest in any serious relationships and never thought about getting married or starting a family. It wasn’t until I graduated from college and met my husband that my life began to turn around for the better.
After college, I was recruited to join my father’s aircraft interior company. Being integrated on a daily basis, I was able to learn the business from the bottom up. I learned how to manage a business with 7+ employees and pilot a small aircraft. I also learned that I had a passion for aviation and hope to finish up with my pilot license once my boys are finished with college.
While working with my father, I brought my husband, at the time boyfriend, into the company. Our beliefs and values aligned on a much deeper basis, so we moved to Dallas and started our own aircraft interior business. We had a thriving business model but as we started our family, it became obvious to me that it was not my calling. We closed the door after 4 years of business and went to work for other companies. During that time, our family grew by another son and my struggles with breastfeeding continued. I was met with so many obstacles that my desire to become the support person I needed when I had my own children became an obvious choice for a career.
Pricing:
- Some insurances cover the visit up front
- By law, insurance is supposed to reimburse for up to 6 home visits
- Discounts for military & Medicaid
Contact Info:
- Website: www.operationlactation.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/operationlactation
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-keller-29452a17/
